“This guide, it sort of levels the playing field. It makes it easy for a general dentist such as myself to do implants,” Mobilia said.

Katz has a patent pending on the device. While it still requires a two-dimensional X-ray to place an implant, Katz said he believes the guide could result in a lower cost for patients because of the expense of three-dimensional CT scans.

“I would say it could save the patient anywhere from $400 to $1,000,” Katz said.

Katz said that, because the device is used only to locate a drill bit in the right spot, he does not need regulatory approval to begin producing his product.

“All we claim is that we can put the implant where it’s supposed to go,” Katz said.

Safegide is not the only product on Katz desk. He is working on a new kind of dental pliers that he says have the potential to make tooth extractions easier and quicker. That device is also patent pending. And there are other ideas, he said, that are bouncing around his head.

“I’m the kind of guy who has to make everything himself, and that’s always going to be a big piece of who I am,” he said.